Bar Course Aptitude Test

Opening and closing
dates

The BCAT opened on Thursday 18 January 2018, registration will
close on Monday 17 September 2018, and the final day of testing
will be on Monday 24 September 2018. (Please remember you can
submit a BarSAS application before you have passed the BCAT.)

Candidates must pass the BCAT before they can enrol on their
BPTC in September.

Candidates can apply for a BPTC place via the BarSAS
website and also accept a place before passing the
BCAT.

We strongly recommend taking the BCAT earlier rather than later
in case a re-take is necessary. Also in previous years the BCAT has
been fully booked in the run up to the closing date. If no slots
are available, you will not be able to take the test and will not
be admitted to the BPTC, even if you meet all the other
requirements.

What is the Bar Course Aptitude Test
(BCAT)?

The BCAT tests aptitude for critical thinking and reasoning.
These are key skills required for the Bar Professional Training
Course (BPTC). The aim of the test is to ensure that those
undertaking the BPTC have the aptitude to succeed on the course.
The test consists of 60 multiple choice questions, lasts 55 minutes
and is completed on a computer at an authorised Pearson VUE test
centre. The test costs £150 if taken in the EU or £170 if taken
outside the EU.

Scheduling your BCAT

You schedule and pay for the BCAT using the Pearson VUE website. The BCAT FAQs give guidance
on registering on the Pearson VUE website and then scheduling your
BCAT.

Practice test

To familiarise yourself with the BCAT you should try the
free practice
test. The practice test is the same length, difficulty and
format as the actual test. At the end you will receive a feedback
report confirming how well you did on the test.

On the practice test page there is also additional information
regarding what the BCAT measures, why the BCAT is being used, the
validity study carried out and tips on how to improve your critical
thinking skills.

How long is your BCAT pass valid for?

BCAT passes before 2016 or from 19 December 2016 are valid for
five years.

For candidates who took the BCAT between April and August
2016:
1. BCAT passes scoring 45 or more are valid for five
years.
2. BCAT passes scoring 44 or less were only valid to
enrol on the BPTC in
September 2016.

If you passed the BCAT between October 2013 and September 2014,
the last BPTC you can enrol on with that BCAT pass starts in
September 2018.